Topic: Growth Stocks

Wall Street Stock Forecaster Hotline – Friday, September 27, 2013

Article Excerpt

J.C. PENNEY CO., INC., $9.05, New York symbol JCP, fell 13% on Friday after the company announced that it is selling 84.0 million new common shares to the public at $9.65 each. Underwriters have an option to buy an additional 12.6 million shares. The potential 96.6 million new shares would increase the total outstanding by 44%. The department store operator will probably use the $932-million proceeds to build up its inventories ahead of the busy Christmas shopping season. Penney is also making progress with its plan to win back shoppers it alienated under a failed everyday low price strategy. The company expects to report positive same-store sales in the fourth quarter of its 2014 fiscal year, which ends January 31, 2014. In the second quarter, same-store sales fell 11.9%. As well, sales through its website continue to improve. However, if sales growth remains weak, the company would have to cut its prices to clear unsold merchandise. In that case, Penney may have…